Quality Systems Engineer

On-site position at our Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions Integrated Systems facility in Santa Clarita, CA.

About the role

The Quality Management Systems (QMS) Engineer is responsible for administration and day-to-day facilitation of the AS9100 and FAA certified quality system and regulatory processes. Under the direction of the Sr. Quality Manager, this role manages elements of the QMS including document control, change controls, quality events, deviations, Corrective and Preventative Action Board (CAB), and internal audit planning and facilitating. This individual works closely with cross-functional teams at the site and abroad, and assists with general Quality Systems functions such as FAA regulatory product certification, document control, internal auditing, and specification review.

Responsibilities

• Quality Systems (60%)
  • Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, including 14 CFR Part 145 (Repair Stations) and 14 CFR Part 21 (Certification Procedures for Products and Articles).
  • Develop, review, and maintain regulatory documentation, procedures, and manuals.
  • Support FAA inspections, audits, and regulatory approvals.
  • Interpret and implement FAA regulations and industry standards across engineering and manufacturing operations.
  • Create, maintain, and facilitate internal/external audit schedules.
  • Prepare management for and facilitate 3rd party audits, audit teams, prepare audit plans, report findings, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Analyze audit results, identify non-conformances, and work with department heads to develop effective corrective action plans.
  • Provide training and guidance on quality management system requirements and best practices.
  • Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in quality management systems and auditing.
  • Support the Quality Systems Manager in maintaining the integrity of the QMS and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Drive the RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) process through the organization, including implementation/improvement of tools, training, and metrics.
  • Support Program Quality Engineering Customer Quality process, ensuring quick response and effective corrective actions on customer-raised SCARS, FRACAS, audit findings, and feedback from the Customer Service Index (CSI) process.
  • Interact with Program Managers, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, and Customer Service to ensure compliance with Quality requirements and support Program Quality RCCAs to resolve customer and product line nonconformances.
  • Coordinate corrective actions to address nonconformances identified during internal/customer audits.
• Quality Systems Document Control (30%)
  • Administer and maintain the Quality System Document Management System Configuration Management through Agile workflows, ensuring documentation integrity, accessibility, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Oversee the creation, review, approval, training, and distribution of controlled documents, including policies, procedures, work instructions, and quality manuals (AS9100, FAA Repair Station Manual & FAA Production Quality System Manual).
  • Prepare formal FAA regulatory communications of system/personnel changes as required.
  • Ensure timely updates to documentation in response to regulatory changes, internal audits, or process improvements.
  • Assist with periodic reviews of documentation practices and systems to ensure continued compliance and effectiveness.
• Other Supporting Responsibilities (10%)
  • Perform root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys) of identified manufacturing issues and identify appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
  • Coordinate corrective and preventive actions resulting from internal and external audits.
  • Provide QA support on the implementation of Quality Systems Changes, Program Instructions, Waivers, and Material Substitution Requests.
  • Support quality in the product life cycle (Proposal, Design, Production, Services, and Sustainment).
  • Routinely perform reports and metrics gathering for monthly/quarterly and ad-hoc requests, including KPI, FRACAS, MRB, COPQ data extraction, analysis, compilation, and improvements.
  • Ad-hoc travel may be required to support business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical/Software Engineering or technical equivalent.
• 3+ years of experience with the implementation and maintenance of a registered AS9100 QMS applied to both manufacturing and product development.
• Experience in quality, quality processes, and maintaining documentation systems, specifically in the defense industry, is preferred.
• Proficiency with Agile, SAP, SharePoint Online/Office 365 is considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, set priorities, identify and address problems, meet deadlines, and stay within budget.
• IAQG AS9100 certified Lead Auditor or AATT certification preferred.
• American Society for Quality (CQA), (CQIA), or (CQE) certification preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills & excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage with employees, department managers, and senior management.
• Strong computer literacy in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, etc.) and ERP systems.
• Strong self-awareness (high EQ), decision-making skills, and results-driven to work under deadlines.

Pay

$94,700.00 - $126,300.00 per year. Please note that the salary range is a general guideline reflecting a position based in California. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Competitive Pay
• Recognition
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture

About the company

The Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions facility in Santa Clarita, California, is the center of excellence for hardware-level system integration and advanced package design. Integrated Systems in Santa Clarita prides itself on experience, expertise, and low-risk solutions. The primary focus is understanding the technical challenges customers face and creating partnerships to provide high TRL (Technology Readiness Level) solutions.

For more information, visit: Santa Clarita, California | Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions.